Premier League keepers ranked: Alisson eyeing a second crown after clean sheet

Alisson topped this list last season and has moved into fourth in 2023/24, with Andre Onana not far behind.

Courtesy of the wonderful FBREF we’ve used the PSxG minus goals allowed metric to rank the top-flight stoppers. ‘What the f*** is that?’ you might reasonably ask…

Post-shot expected goals is expected goals based on how likely the goalkeeper is to save the shot. When the number of goals they have conceded is subtracted, we are left with the figures below. FBREF explains that positive numbers suggest better luck or an above-average ability to stop shots.

Here’s how the Premier League keepers are performing, with the exception of those who have played fewer than four games.

1) Thomas Kaminski (Luton): +4.1
Made five saves v Liverpool before letting that one in from Luis Diaz. And then somehow kept out Rasmus Hojlund. He has excelled himself this season even though he is yet to keep a clean sheet.

2) Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham): +3.7
It’s rare that you concede four goals and still end up boosting this number but the Italian – who has been a phenomenal signing for Tottenham – made ludicrous saves to deny Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling. He has been a revelation for Spurs. We were absolutely wrong about his signing.

3) Jose Sa (Wolves): +2.9
There was talk that Sa might be on his way this summer after being dropped towards the back end of last season amid criticism from supporters. The Portugal international seems to have rediscovered his form, certainly if his performances against Everton and Manchester City are any measure, and a new contract has been signed.

4) Alisson (Liverpool): +2.7
The best goalkeeper in the Premier League last season still doing Alisson things. Now has the best saves percentage in the Premier League.

5) Bernd Leno (Fulham): +2.4
The German was one of the bargains of last summer and he continues to prove his worth to Fulham. It’s not at his end of the pitch where the Cottagers have problems.

6) Andre Onana (Manchester United): +1.8
Conceding three goals in a game might ordinarily reflect poorly on a keeper but Onana emerged with credit from the Manchester City defeat for preventing a proper Erling Haaland humping, then kept clean sheets v Fulham and Luton. Ignore the narrative; he is not the problem.

Premier League’s worst finishers 23/24: Rasmus Hojlund second only to Marcus Rashford

7) Neto (Bournemouth): +1.7
Came back from injury to keep a clean sheet v Newcastle United.

8) Alphonse Areola (West Ham): +1.7
Areola has been given the chance to nail down the Hammers’ No.1 spot – a ‘weird’ gesture that made Lukasz Fabianski ‘angry’ – and the 30-year-old is seizing his opportunity.

9) Wes Foderingham (Sheffield United): +1.3
A historically bad Sheffield United start and defensive record could have been worse.

10) Nick Pope (Newcastle): +0.9
Five clean sheets this season. He might point to this list and reasonably ask why he is not in the England squad.

11) David Raya (Arsenal): +0.8
Undoubtedly jittery against Manchester City and Chelsea but made enough saves to keep him securely in the black for the season.

12) Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa): +0.7
Had an absolute ‘mare v Nottingham Forest just after being named the best goalkeeper in the world. What a way to celebrate.

13) Jordan Pickford (Everton): +0.2
England’s No. 1 is the Premier League’s No. 13.

14) Ederson (Manchester City): -0.5
Early signs of improvement on last season’s numbers. Not that City suffered much as a consequence.

15) Robert Sánchez (Chelsea): -1.1
Had a mare v Arsenal and narrowly avoided the ignominy of conceding a Neal Maupay goal against Brentford. Considering the fuss made about the mistakes of Raya and Onana, Sanchez has escaped without real scrutiny for form way down on Kepa’s last season.

16) Bart Verbruggen (Brighton): -1.4
Seems to be sharing the gloves with Jason Steele, and neither are making a compelling case to keep them long term.

17) Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest): -1.6
Odysseas Vlachodimos has now taken the gloves and you can hardly blame Steve Cooper for making the change.

18) Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal): -1.8
The signing of Raya raised eyebrows and while Mikel Arteta spoke of the two keepers competing, Ramsdale will be aware that he was bought in similar circumstances, which led to Leno being dropped during an international break after a poor start. The draw with Fulham, when Andreas Pereira (assisted by Bukayo Saka) made Ramsdale look daft inside the opening minute has hurt the England international most here. The lowest save percentage (55.6) in the Premier League, is it?

19) James Trafford (Burnley): -1.9
Was perhaps personally culpable for the first time v Chelsea. Was definitely personally culpable against Bournemouth. Currently looks way short of justifying the considerable outlay from the Clarets.

20) Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace): -2.4
Conceded three goals from four shots on target v Everton. Ouch.

21) Jason Steele (Brighton): -2.5
Steele was in, out and then back in again. And then out and in again. This is just not working.

22) Mark Flekken (Brentford): -3.9
Made seven saves v Liverpool but that did him no good whatsoever. Looks a massive downgrade on Raya as it stands.